AFSCME’s Post

On December 20th, Jushawn Rucker and David DiPasquale, proud AFSCME Local 2419 members (New York Council 66), sprang into action and saved the life of a 15-year-old student who went into cardiac arrest during a basketball game at a Rochester, New York public school. We honor their dedication and bravery with our union’s Never Quit Service Award.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor announced new heat standards: “Climate change is undeniable — the last eight years on earth are the hottest on record. Workers are feeling it the most, with heat-related illnesses and injuries rising alongside record temperatures. The Biden administration is stepping up, proposing new heat standards through OSHA that will finally align worker protections with today's environmental challenges. For AFSCME members — whether they’re paving roads, collecting garbage, driving students to school, directing traffic or maintaining safety in corrections facilities — these safeguards will provide much-needed relief on the job, helping them sustain the essential public services we rely on. What’s more, this will provide long-awaited peace of mind to their loved ones at home. "These new heat standards, together with the recently introduced Public Service Worker Protection Act, would keep workers safe while reflecting the realities of working in 2024. More importantly, they will save lives

Right-wing lawmakers are trying to slash federal funding that helps millions of vulnerable Americans. AFSCME and our allies are fighting to stop them.

Last month, Parole and Probation Agent Davis Martinez was tragically killed on duty. AFSCME Local 3661 continues to demand better safety protocols, despite Maryland State Department of Public Safety repeatedly ignoring members' safety concerns. Martinez’s death is a wake-up call for protecting public safety workers.

“Honestly, I was just trying to get to the park, make sure everybody was out and I was going to get the heck out of there, too. I just ran out of time.” – Iowa Sherriff’s Deputy Sgt. Todd Dollen, a member of AFSCME Council 61, who had to ride out a tornado in his cruiser after saving people from it.

“Our governor and his yes men in the legislature thought that when they passed the most anti-union, anti-worker legislation in Florida history … that we would just sit down and shut up. That just made us want to work even harder to show AFSCME members don’t just give up because it is hard.” – Joe Simmons Jr., president of Local 871 (AFSCME Florida).

AFSCME President Lee Saunders paid tribute to the Rev. James Lawson, who died Monday, calling him “one of the greatest architects of social change in recent American history.”

Additional skills should mean more pay. Rosina used her voice as an AFSCME union member to make that happen.

“You’re standing up for what you believe in, you’re standing up because you have a seat at the table. They have a responsibility to negotiate a fair contract with you. And if they don’t, we will raise all kinds of hell.” — AFSCME President Lee Saunders, voicing solidarity with postdoctoral researchers at Oregon Health & Science University amid resistance from administrators.

“In the past, our perspectives and voices weren’t really being heard or considered in the personnel committees the city used to do. With this contract, we’ve finally been heard, and I’m proud of the work that our bargaining team has done.” – Pete Torigoe, a wastewater treatment plant mechanic, for the city of Salisbury, Maryland.